EU leaders welcome Nicușor Dan’s presidential victory in Romania

Bucharest – European leaders reacted with relief and support after the centrist, pro-EU mayor of Bucharest, Nicușor Dan, won Romania’s presidential election, defeating right-wing nationalist George Simion after months of political turmoil.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Moldovan President Maia Sandu were among those congratulating Dan, 55, on his win.

Dan secured 53.6% of the run-off vote on Sunday, while Simion garnered 46.4%. Simion conceded late in the evening after initially declaring victory.

“We are the clear winners of this election. We claim this victory in the name of the Romanian people,” he had said. He had earlier accused authorities of attempting to rig the vote, without offering evidence.

But in a video message posted later on social media, he described the result as a “bitter defeat” and congratulated Dan.

The presidential election was a re-run of last November’s vote, when pro-Russian candidate Călin Georgescu won the first round, having campaigned largely on the online platform TikTok.

However, shortly before the scheduled run-off vote, the Constitutional Court annulled the first round due to irregularities amid claims of Russian interference, and banned Georgescu from running again.

Addressing thousands of cheering supporters outside Bucharest City Hall, Dan declared: “This victory belongs to you!”

The crowd responded in unison: “Russia, Russia, Romania does not belong to you!” — a pointed rebuke of Simion’s earlier promise to nominate Kremlin ally Georgescu as prime minister.

Ukrainian President Zelensky hailed Dan’s “historic victory” on X, writing: “We will always have great respect for Romania and its people, especially given the support we received during the most difficult period in our history.”

Romania has played a key logistical role in supporting Ukraine since Russia’s invasion.

Von der Leyen said Romanians had “chosen the promise of an open, prosperous Romania in a strong Europe.”

Macron announced he had spoken by phone with Dan, praising voters for choosing “the path of democracy despite numerous attempts at manipulation.”

German Chancellor Merz said “Romania has committed itself to a strong and secure Europe.”

Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who had urged Moldovans with Romanian citizenship to vote for Dan, also sent congratulations. “The whole world sees how strong we are when we stand together,” she wrote on Facebook. Dan won nearly 88% of the Romanian vote in Moldova. (19 May)